Best Cruising Boats Under 50-Feet

The following 14 pocket cruisers and mini yachts are all vessels we’ve seen, been aboard, and tested. They are listed in no particular order.

• Hood 35 LM: high-tech, family-friendly pocket cruiser
• Galeon Yachts 375 GTO: mid-size boat with plenty of below-deck space
• Aquila 42: sleek power catamaran ready to entertain
• Azimut Verve 42: small, yet mighty yacht ready for open water
• Hinckley Yachts 35: luxury picnic cruiser with range
• Beneteau Gran Turismo 45: sleek cruising yacht with all the amenities
• Solaris Power 48 Open: eye-catching power yacht with 360-degree views
• Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS: luxury cruiser yacht with powerful outboard options
• Back Cove 34O: modern outboard power combined with classic Downeast styling
• Picnic Boat 40: speedy and fuel-efficient vessel with great looks
• Aquila 36: comfortably seat up to 20 guests for fun on the salt
• Boston Whaler 350 Realm: multitasker built for fishing and entertaining
• MJM 35z: sporty, aesthetically pleasing, cruising-conscious features and elegant lines
• Greenline 39: sturdy-looking lines and environmentally-friendly power

Hood 35 LM

When Android co-founder, Rich Miner, wanted a new family-friendly pocket cruiser, he turned to a custom-penned C.W. Hood design and a Lyman-Morse-built 35-footer, which has a timeless Down East profile matched to seriously modern technology under the hood.

This yacht looks like a traditional, cold-molded Down East dayboat, but actually, it has everything, from Hamilton HJX Series water-jet drives to a planned Sea Machines autonomous command-and-control system. Top speed: 40-plus knots.

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Galeon Yachts 375 GTO

Even the remnants of Hurricane Ian, couldn’t dissuade the Galeon Yacht 375 GTO from its cruising mission. The small yacht’s wave-splitting hull form is paired to torque-filled 600 hp Mercury Verado outboards, giving this fun-in-the-sun boat a 47-knot top hop.

The 375 GTO is a speedster, to be sure, but it’s also so much more. Just about every aspect of the main deck seating is transformable and multifunction, from the aft seating to the alfresco dining abaft the helm, and beyond. It also has a family-size and eminently cruise-worthy belowdecks space for four guests, all while providing a foredeck entertaining lounge too.

The Galeon Yachts 375 GTO ticks all the boxes for an easy-to-handle and sporty cruiser.

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Aquila 42 Yacht Power Catamaran

Following the success of its 44-, 54- and 70-foot power catamaran models, Aquila has launched the stable-as-a-table, owner-operator-ready Aquila 42 Yacht Power Catamaran.

The Aquila 42 is the entry point into the builder’s yacht line and is noteworthy for its ability to accommodate anywhere from a two- to four-stateroom layout, depending on the owner’s cruising requirements. There are alfresco spaces to manage the sunset cruise with friends and family, including a foredeck lounge area that can be accessed via centerline steps from the flybridge. The Aquila 42 is available with several Volvo Penta diesel-engine options.

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Azimut Verve 42

Want to cruise from Florida to Bimini in about an hour? The Azimut Yachts Verve 42 can do that thanks, in part, to triple 450 hp Mercury Racing outboards and a hull designed to dice-and-slice a seaway. Top hop: 45 knots. The Verve 42 also has style for miles with a fine entry, raked hardtop, and a razorlike sheerline accented by sweeping hull glass from bow to stern. It’s striking.

With accommodation for a family of four, the Verve 42 is also solid under the hull tokeep everyone safe on those passages. The Verve 42’s hull is built of fiberglass and uses vinylester resins for blister protection. The yacht’s deck and hardtop are comprised of carbon fiber for strength without added weight. This all means that the Azimut Verve 42 is built to CE Classification Type A, making it suitable for sea voyages where winds can exceed 45 mph and seas to 13 feet.

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Hinckley Yachts 35

The Hinckley Yachts 35 takes everything that yachtsmen like about this pedigreed-brand’s classic profile and infuses today’s modern outboard power to create 40 knots of sheer fun wrapped in sheer luxury.

This 35-foot Hinckley is built on a Michael-Peters-penned hull form with a fine entry, wider-than-average chines and a moderate deadrise. While the boat is built to sprint when desired, it’s also a relatively economical cruiser. For instance, a comfortable 24-knot cruise the Hinckley Yachts 35 has a 276-nautical-mile range.

It also has a tech-build thanks to vacuum-infused carbon-fiber composites and epoxy resin. An integrated interior structure is infused with the hull adding rigidity. The hull is then post-cured in an 80-foot oven, further strengthening the structure.

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Beneteau Gran Turismo 45

The Beneteau Gran Turismo is the flagship of the builder’s four-model GT series, which also includes 32-, 36- and 41-foot models.

The Gran Turismo 45’s cruise-centric layout includes two staterooms and two heads belowdecks, as well as a galley down. There is also a dinette for meals and a settee for rainy-day lounging. Entertaining guests and enjoying the sun is the primary mission of the main deck.

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Solaris Power 48 Open

The Solaris Power 48 Open was the first powerboat from this longtime builder known for its sailing yachts, ranging from 40 to 110 feet length overall. The Solaris Power 48 Open is notable for its wave-slicing plumb-bow design, high freeboard forward and 32-knot-plus speed. Power is twin 480 hp Volvo Penta IPS650 diesels.

The high freeboard keeps the deck dry and help creates sizable volume belowdecks with an average 6-foot-6-inch headroom. This enables real estate for either one or two staterooms. With the single-stateroom setup, there is a forepeak master stateroom while an L-shaped settee converts to sleeping accommodations for family or occasional guests. Interior wood options are oak or walnut.

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Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS

Outboard-power cruising aficionados will appreciate the triple-engine options for the Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS. The 42 GLS we got aboard had the triple 400 hp Mercury Verados, which produced a top hop of 45 knots, but triple 450 hp Verados are available. Triple 350 hp Mercury Verados are the standard engine option. No matter the power arrangement, this express cruiser can easily be used for wakeboarding and tube towing. The 42 GLS is designed to handle the rough stuff too, with a fine entry and 21-degree transom deadrise.

For cruising enthusiasts, the 42 GLS has a master stateroom with an athwartships and a nearly queen-size berth, and the lower salon’s U-shaped dinette converts to a queen-size berth for the kids.

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Back Cove 34O

Combining modern outboard power with classic Downeast styling, the Back Cove 34O touts award-winning standards with cruising in mind. The 34O is equipped with twin 300 hp Yamaha outboards, engines that allow the Newport International Boat Show’s 2018 Best Powerboat Under 35 Feet winner to travel up to 214 nautical miles at 24 knots on a 250-gallon fuel tank.

Belowdecks, the 34O has an island double berth and a split-head arrangement with the toilet to port and a separate shower stall to starboard. On the main deck, a U-shape dinette to port accommodates four or more guests on the Back Cove Yachts vessel. The 34O’s galley is equipped with a Cuisinart microwave, a two-burner Kenyon electric cooktop and a Vitrifrigo fridge and freezer.

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Picnic Boat 40

Hinckley Yachts unveiled its first Picnic Boat more than two decades ago. Now, after two previous, sub-40-foot models, the Maine-based boatbuilder has developed its largest and most advanced model to date: the Picnic Boat 40.

Twin 480 hp Cummins diesel engines paired to twin Hamilton 322 jet drives propel the yacht to a 30-knot cruising speed and 34 knots on the pins. With optional twin 550 hp Cummins diesels, cruise and top-end speeds jump to 35 and 38 knots, respectively.

There is an L-shaped settee with a table and a wet bar on the main deck to port. The helm station is forward and to starboard with a benchseat for two. There is also a companion seat across from the helm. Belowdecks, there is 6-foot-2-inch headroom, and the dinette table drops to form a California-king berth for overnights and weekending.

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Aquila 36

Aquila Power Catamarans started its line with 44- and 48-footers, and now the builder’s Aquila 36 takes the line into the midsize market.

The 36 features a single, main-living area from bow to stern, helped in part by the vessel’s 14-foot, 7-inch beam. The boat can comfortably seat up to 20 guests for fun on the salt. Several Mercury Verado engine options are available for the Aquila 36, including twin 250-, 300- and 350-hp four-strokes. With the 350s, the Aquila has a top-end speed of 37 knots.

Other notable features include a fiberglass hardtop, a dinette, a cooktop, a fridge, a sink and a smokeless grill. Belowdecks, there are two staterooms with nearly queen-size berths, en suite heads and 6-foot-6-inch headroom in each.

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Boston Whaler 350 Realm

From fishing and entertaining guests to diving and overnight cruising, Boston Whaler‘s 350 Realm is a multitasker. And it’s fast, too. It’s powered with either triple 300 hp or triple 350 hp Mercury Verados. The 350 Realm can reach a top speed of 46 knots.

At the helm, two Raymarine displays provide vital navigation data. The captain can take in the displays’ view from a doublewide helm seat. There’s a flip-down platform for standing when needed and a footrest when desired.

There is a V-shaped berth that converts into a double berth with a filler cushion. The separated head has a VacuFlush MSD and a hot-and-cold shower. Owners also have the option to add a microwave and a flat-screen TV.

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MJM 35z

The MJM 35z can reach a top speed of 44 knots and a cruising speed of 33 knots on its optional 350 hp Mercury Verado outboards; twin 300 hp outboards are standard on this MJM Yachts vessel. Additionally, the 35z can travel up to 304 nautical miles on its 250-gallon fuel tank.

The 35z has a flush-deck layout and to port is space for an electric grill, a baitwell, a sink, an ice maker and a fridge. There are two Stidd helm seats—one for the helmsman and the other for a copilot—that rotate to face the rest of the seating aft. In the cabin is V-shaped seating forward that can be converted to a berth.

Owners also have the option of adding a Seakeeper 3 gyrostabilizer and a full-length Bimini top to shade the cockpit.

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Greenline 39

Greenline Yachts‘ vessels are aptly named for their environmentally friendly means of moving about; the Greenline 39 is no different. The Slovenian yacht manufacturer produces two types of this model: hybrid and solar.

If owners opt for the latter, the 39’s four solar panels atop the salon power all of the vessel’s systems for three hours. With the power of the sun, the 39 can achieve a max speed of 6.5 knots and a cruising speed of 4 knots. The hybrid type uses those same panels to help power a 220 hp Volvo Penta D3 with a Mahle electric-drive system. Owners have the option of replacing the standard engine with a 370 hp Yanmar 8LV diesel.

Belowdecks, scissor berths provide accommodations for long weekends.

Quick Specifications

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Riviera’s 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition will make its U.S. debut at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

The Australia-based company is known for building bluewater-capable boats, and, to that end, the 4600 Platinum Edition has a solid, hand-laid fiberglass hull and foam core for strength and noise-dampening. Additionally, there is a watertight collision bulkhead forward.

Entertainment at sea is also a focal point, and this express cruiser has a 79.5-square-foot cockpit accessed via two starboard-side steps. There is an L-shaped settee with a triangular dinette in the portside corner, and, to starboard, there is a grill and a sink. An additional step up on either side deck leads to the bow with an 83-inch-by-99-inch sun pad for catching rays on the hook.

A sliding glass door from the cockpit leads to the salon with a galley aft to port. The aft-facing countertop is accessible via the cockpit, too, as there is a window that opens upward and outward on a strut. The galley also has a two-burner stove, a microwave oven and a stainless-steel sink. To starboard is a nearly 40-gallon fridge, a 13-gallon freezer and a liquor cabinet. 

If the weather doesn’t allow for alfresco living, guests can enjoy their coffee at the starboard-side wooden table and accompanying U-shaped settee for up to six that are forward and one step up. This dining space is also accompanied by an electrically lifted 43-inch TV that’s built into the dash and forward of the seating. There is 6-foot-11-inch headroom in the salon.

To port and on the same level as the dining table, there are twin leather and Alcantara sports seats with a tilt-adjustable sports steering wheel, joystick control and twin Garmin Glass Cockpit screens. 

Twin 480 hp Volvo Penta D6-IPS650s with IPS10 drives are standard power for the 4600 Platinum Edition, and there is an option for twin 600 hp Volvo Penta D8-IPS800s with IPS15 drives. At press time, performance information was not available.

Owners have options belowdecks with either a two- or three-stateroom layout. If they choose the two-stateroom setup, the centerline stairs lead below to a portside lounge with an L-shaped settee. 

Forward is the forepeak VIP with a step-up berth, and the en suite head abaft and to starboard also functions as the day head. There is a full-beam master stateroom with an en suite head amidships. It has a step-up, queen-sized berth on centerline, a portside lounge and dressers to starboard. Hull-side windows flanking the room measure 71 inches by 21 inches and provide natural light.

The three-stateroom arrangement replaces the portside lounge with a Pullman berth-equipped stateroom. A washer-dryer can be added here, too. Headroom throughout belowdecks ranges from 6 feet, 4 inches to 6 feet, 7 inches.

What does the Platinum Edition of the Riviera 4600 Sport Yacht entail? Riviera says the Platinum Edition includes luxury appointments like premium fabrics, high-gloss walnut timber cabinetry, in-vogue lounges and carpet in the staterooms.

Take the next step: rivieraaustralia.com

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The Prestige 590s, a midrange model in the builder’s s-line series, is sporty while maintaining a level of elegance. It has balanced exterior lines and comfortable interior spaces thanks to the builder’s engineers, Garroni Design Studio in Italy, and JP Concepts, a Slovenian company that handles Prestige’s hull design.

The salon has settees to port and starboard, sized for cocktails with guests or just lying back with a book on the hook. The settees have low-profile backrests that, combined with the side windows, create panoramic views and enhance ambient lighting. To port is a foldout, varnished-wood dining table. Across is a split seat that flanks a starboard side-deck door, handy for tending lines when shorthanded or accessing the foredeck when it’s time to grab a mooring ball. Skippers can open the door and the portside window for salty breezes.

Prestige blends ergonomic design and function at the helm to starboard, where the seat is sized for two with an angled backrest, a fore-aft adjustment and an integrated footrest. Operating the 590S from the lower station affords clear sightlines thanks to side and aft windows. Twin Raymarine Axiom multifunction displays fill the helm console, while Seakeeper and Cummins engine displays are to port of the wheel. The electronic throttles, joystick and ignition are to starboard and within arm’s reach.

Aft and to port is the galley with a Miele microwave, a Siemens three-burner induction cooktop, a Vitrifrigo fridge/freezer, a dishwasher and an ice maker. Countertops are Corian, and there’s enough stowage for a family’s summer-vacation cruise. One of the galley’s countertops, when not being used to prepare or plate meals, can become a walk-up bar when the aft bulkhead window is open. Open the salon’s sliding doors too, and the interior and aft deck become a single social area.

The standard aft-deck layout includes an L-shaped transom seat with a foldout teak dining table, a teak cockpit, a port staircase down to the swim platform, and another one up to the flybridge. An interesting option is the “relax bench” in place of the transom seat. It’s a sun pad (8 feet, 10 inches wide by 5 feet, 11 inches long) with an adjustable backrest and side cushions. It includes a second backrest for sitting at the table.

Coined the “Sportfly,” the flybridge deck is low and lean. The sleek centerline helm has dual 12-inch Raymarine multifunction displays as well as a joystick controller. A Venturi windscreen helps deflect wind and reduce noise when the skipper is seated. Taking up the acreage is a sun pad (6 feet, 6 inches by 6 feet, 11 inches) that has adjustable backrests. Extending the flybridge aft protects the cockpit below from weather. An electric sunshade extends from the overhang for additional sun coverage.

Belowdecks, down a dedicated staircase across from the galley, is the full-beam master stateroom. Hullside windows with opening ports enhance the stateroom’s openness, as does the 6-foot-6-inch headroom. A king-size berth on centerline is flanked by nightstands, wall sconces and reading lamps. Forward to port is a walk-in closet, and to starboard is an en suite head with a centerline shower stall and Corian countertops. This space also acts as a buffer from the forward guest staterooms. A vanity doubles as a work area or casual respite from the main deck; with opposing settees, this could be the owner’s favorite getaway spot.

The forepeak VIP stateroom has a double berth that converts to twins in a V-shaped layout. The VIP also has a walk-in closet and an adjoining en suite head with a shower stall and seat. To port is a guest stateroom with twin berths; it can have its own head if owners want to trade the space for the VIP’s walk-in closet.

In addition to the aft and flybridge lounge spaces, the 590S’s foredeck is a quiet oasis at the quay. An oversize sun pad measures 6 feet, 1 inch wide by 7 feet, 1 inch long—plenty of room for a couple. There’s an adjustable backrest and a removable center cushion to make room for bench seating around a high-low table. A four-pole sunshade covers the area.

Prestige gives owners choices for decor, including upholstery fabrics and colors, as well as soles and countertops. Some options include a lighter-gray oak, wenge with darker woodwork, and brushed soles. Owners can pepper in leather finishes, carpeting and exterior cushion styles to personalize the 590S.

Tropical-ready air conditioning delivers 87,000 Btu of cooling power, enough to deal with the warmest of environs. The yacht’s house electrical systems are managed via Prestige’s Ship Control system. Operated from the helm—on an iPad or with a smartphone—the system allows monitoring and actuating with a tap on a screen icon. Owners can control lighting, air conditioning, music and more.

Building on the Prestige Yachts DNA to make the owner feel at home on the water, the 590S is a residence ready to travel.

Take the next step: prestige-yachts.com

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Monte Carlo Yachts’ models are easy to spot in any harbor. They have signature overlapping circular hull windows, with profiles inspired by sport-fish yachts. With the MCY 70 Skylounge, the builder adds an all-weather helm that doubles as an entertaining space—all of which can be customized to suit the owner’s taste.

My tour of the MCY 70 Skylounge revealed a yacht designed for comfortable family cruising. I stepped aboard via the swim platform, which is sized for a 12-foot tender. Twin stairways flank the transom and lead up to the aft deck. There, a twin-pedestal wood dining table has a transom settee and casual chairs for alfresco meals. The flybridge overhang provides shade and protection from the elements.

Inside, the furnishings and cabinetry are all low-profile, allowing unobstructed visibility from stem to stern. Not only do the 43-inch-high-by-8-foot-long windows yield panoramic vistas, but the yacht’s bulwarks are cut down to enhance ocean views. The forward windshield has a center pane with side curved glass for clear sightlines. And because the helm station is up on the flybridge, there’s more interior living space on the main deck. Salon seating includes an L-shaped settee to port and twin armchairs.

The galley is forward and to port, with a four-burner induction cooktop, oven, dishwasher and fridge/freezer drawers. The adjacent six- to eight-seat expanding glass dining table keeps guests within earshot of the chef.

All throughout the main deck, the yacht’s volume seems substantial. There is 6-foot-8-inch headroom, light fabrics and leathers, recessed LED lighting, and windows in all directions. A starboard-side door lets crew move fore and aft without passing through the salon. An optional day-head can be installed aft, or the space can be used for stowage.

In the salon’s starboard aft corner are a staircase down to the master stateroom, as well as a steel staircase with floating glass steps up to the sky lounge, where the Italian design team of Nuvolari Lenard created a truly comfortable space. The center helm seat is flanked by guest bench seats, with sliding side windows for fresh air when desired. Open the electric sunroof and aft doors, and the enclosed bridge converts to a breezy oasis.

The flat helm console houses rocker switches, thruster joysticks, MAN low-profile electric throttles and other systems. Three Garmin multifunction displays are housed in individual pods, adding to the unrestricted visibility forward. The sofa and ottoman to port are ideal for stretching out after a long run.

Aft on this deck is an outdoor space with several chairs and cocktail tables, protected from the wind and secure within welded railings.

Belowdecks, the full-beam master stateroom has a king berth on centerline with a wraparound headboard, pearl-white lacquer walls and 6-foot-8-inch headroom. This stateroom is a hideaway place with a portside sofa, starboard vanity/desk and flush-mounted 43-inch TV. There’s an oversize marble shower stall with a seat and rain shower in the en suite head, a walk-in closet, and a washer/dryer in the staircase foyer to allow easy living on extended voyages.

The other three guest staterooms are forward, laid out as a forepeak VIP and a pair of twins. The VIP has a queen berth and an en suite head with a tiled shower stall. The twin-berth staterooms can convert to doubles, and an en suite head in the port room serves them both. MCY got creative with the lateral stowage under the center staircase, which is accessible from each guest stateroom. Crew have twin bunks just forward of the engine room.

Far forward on the MCY 70 Skylounge (just follow the teak-capped rails past the Portuguese bridge) is a bow lounge. With a center walk-through, this haven includes sun pads, electric high-low teak tables with dining for 10, pop-up accent lights and a sunshade. Forward is a raised deck that houses the windlass, anchor gear and cleats, keeping these toe-busting protrusions out of walking areas.

A high level of personalization is key for MCY. While the 70 Skylounge bears a strong family resemblance to the builder’s other models on the outside, it can be customized throughout the interior, making it worth a look inside and out.

Take the next step: montecarloyachts.com

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Horizon Yachts has long been known for building seaworthy vessels that emphasize interior volume, entertainment spaces and customization. The builder’s sweet spot is in the 80- to 120-foot range, and it has incorporated all the lessons learned from those larger yachts into the E56, the smallest E-series model it offers. She’s a yacht that out-punches her weight.

One thing that stood out during my time on board the E56 was the number of custom elements the builder was able to include—rare for a 56-footer. There was custom cabinetry in the salon and amidships galley, both designed for longer voyages. In the after section of the salon, the owner wanted a glass-and-stainless-steel dining table. That table is serviced by a galley with some pleasing touches, including a wenge-and-sapele sole (and excellent joinery), a four-burner cooktop, a convection oven/microwave and granite countertops.

Forward of the galley is the lower helm, with a carbon-fiber dash and twin Garmin screens. I found visibility to be excellent, and the optional sunroof opened up the space nicely.

Down below, this E56 had a custom three-stateroom layout. The forepeak VIP was so large, I initially mistook it for the master stateroom. The walk-around queen berth has plenty of space on each side, thanks in part to the yacht’s 15-foot-9-inch beam that carries farther forward than beams tend to do on other yachts. That’s a design trick that Horizon uses on many of its vessels, and one that pays dividends when it comes to interior space.

Walking aft past a washer/dryer, I grabbed the door handle to the amidships master stateroom and noted how the egg-shaped knob fit perfectly in my hand—a reminder that Horizon’s design team thought as hard about the details as they did about the larger elements. I opened the door, and it was immediately apparent that Horizon had put on a clinic in how to fit extra stowage aboard a boat. The stateroom had no fewer than 23 cabinets and drawers, more than enough for owners to add an extra leg or two to a summer cruise. Sapele wood throughout, and blackout shades on the hullside windows, made the space both pleasing to the eye and secluded all at once.

The Horizon E56 carries 660 gallons of fuel and, according to the builder, has a 230-nautical-mile range at a cruising speed of 23 knots. But she’s more than a vessel that owner-operators can use simply for long weekend getaways with friends and family; she is a true midsize motoryacht whose custom detailing makes her feel like a mega-yacht.

Take the next step: horizonyacht.com

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Greenline’s 48 Coupe is a sporty boat with outstanding features, and the added bonus of an environmentally friendly choice of alternative power.

There’s no getting around the fact that Greenline is not only a resourceful builder, but it’s also one with its sights on minimizing the carbon footprint of its model lineup.

“Greenline is committed to providing our owners with a safe, comfortable, well-engineered and environmentally conscious product where responsibility to the future plays a major role,” says Luca Meffle, head of sales and marketing for the company.

To that end, the 48 Coupe is a well-conceived boat offering a wide variety of options, creature comforts and safety features, as well as the ability to use traditional inboard diesel power, full electric or a unique hybrid system.

With virtually one button, switching from diesel-only to all-electric operation is safe and easy. Recharging is as simple as running the diesels for a prescribed period of time; then it’s back to silent and exhaust-free operation. In fact, to increase range, owners can choose the optional trip extender that will kick in when the lithium batteries need more power. And on a sunny day, with 2.4 kW solar panels topside, owners can run the air conditioning.

The 48 Coupe is a boat designed to be enjoyed, and to that end, it begins with a step aboard the wide swim platform—hydraulically operated with weight capacity up to 1,100 pounds—which, when equipped with an optional barbecue station, affords a fun place for outdoor cooking.

Access to the cockpit is via a staircase to starboard, where an aft table and seating area affords a pleasant area for alfresco dining. Beneath the transom cushion is a very large stowage area which, along with all the similar spaces aboard, provides all the space necessary for short- or long-term cruising.

Inside is an open, bright and airy salon with a galley aft and to starboard, refrigerator/freezer and cabinetry to port, and forward of that, a settee for six that easily converts to an additional berth. Opposite is an entertainment console that can be swapped for a small sofa or a pair of chairs and a small bar. And in a design feature found on all Greenline yachts from 33 to 65 feet, the aft window opens, connecting the salon to the cockpit.

The galley is aft and to starboard with the refrigerator/freezer and cabinetry across. Forward and to port is a six-person settee with a high-low table that converts to an extra berth. The television console with wine cooler is to starboard. A sofa or a pair of chairs is also an option. Just ahead of this area is the fully found helm and access to the starboard deck area via a side door. And in a space-saving design, the washer/dryer is located in a hatch in the salon sole.

Access to the living accommodations is via a centerline stairway, and layout options include three-stateroom/three-head or two-stateroom/three-head versions. Either way, pleasing decor, fine fit-and-finish, and attention to detail will surround owners and guests.

Designed for comfort and engineered with the environment as a necessity, the Greenline 48 Coupe joins the other models in the lineup as a responsible way to enjoy the boating lifestyle.

greenlinehybridusa.com

The post The 48 Coupe is absolutely unique to Greenline Yachts. appeared first on Yachting.

The Yachting staff has traveled far and wide to sea trial the 10 yachts that follow. Sit back, grab a coffee, and let’s go for a ride.

MJM 53z

Combining a classic Down East look with a modern engine package, the MJM 53z’s standard power is quad 350s, propelling it to an average top hop of 49 knots. You can also cruise comfortably at just under 32 knots for about 320 nautical miles on 910 gallons of fuel. There are two staterooms belowdecks: a forepeak master with an en suite head and a step-up berth and an aft guest stateroom with either a double berth or two twins.

Take the next step: mjmyachts.com

Viking Yachts 46 Billfish

The Viking Yachts 46 Billfish is a suitable, entry-level boat equipped to help owners enter the traveling, tournament-circuit-ready stage. Its standard power is twin 715 hp Cummins QSM11 diesels, with twin 800 hp MAN i6-800 diesels as an option. In total, there are two staterooms: the forepeak master with a queen island berth and a hanging locker; and the port-side guest stateroom with two bunks. A single head with a walk-in shower are situated portside.

Take the next step: vikingyachts.com

Sunseeker Hawk 38

At its core, the Sunseeker Hawk 38 is about speed. Powered by twin Mercury Verado 400Rs, this boat can reach a maximum speed of 62 knots. To ensure durability and a relatively smooth ride in choppy waters, the hulls and decks are made of post-cured vinylester that are combined using a technique involving bonding compounds, longitudinal aluminum extrusions and polyurethane. For convenience, you’ll find a head amidships and a waterproof locker in the bow.

Take the next step: sunseeker.com

Monte Carlo Yachts 66

The Monte Carlo Yachts 66 is purposeful in its design and make. It has three staterooms in total: a full-beam master amidships, a forepeak VIP stateroom with an en suite head and a third stateroom abaft the VIP and to starboard with twin berths and access to the day-head. Furthermore, the hull is made of vacuum-infused fiberglass with foam coring, optimizing the fiberglass-to-resin ratio and reducing the overall weight, according to the builder.

Take the next step: montecarloyachts.it

Maritimo X50

A stern beach club belowdecks on the Maritimo X50 is the highlight of the features on this 52-footer. It can be configured into a third stateroom with twin berths or into an office capable of fitting two chairs and a desk. Additionally, there’s a full-beam master stateroom amidships and another forepeak stateroom that can sleep two. Twin Volvo D11-670 MHP engines give the X50 a top hop of 33 knots.

Take the next step: maritimo.com

Princess Yachts Y85

Beneath the fiberglass hardtop of the Princess Yachts Y85 is a boat that exudes luxury and comfort. There is an option for a spa aft and four staterooms, including a full-beam master amidships with an en suite head and his-and-her sinks and a forepeak VIP stateroom with a walk-in closet and an en suite head. The Y85 can reach a top hop of 28 knots on 1,900 hp MAN V-12 diesels.

Take the next step: princessyachtsamerica.com

Ocean Alexander 45 Divergence

The Ocean Alexander 45 Divergence is the yachtbuilder’s first center-console. Port and starboard fold-down bulwarks aft extend the 45’s natural beam from 13 feet, 9 inches to 19 feet, 1 inch. It runs on quad 350 hp Mercury Verado outboards, cruising at 28 knots at 4,500 rpm for 316 nautical miles. Top hop is 41 knots for 237 nm.

Take the next step: oceanalexander.com

Zeelander Z72

On its surface, the Zeelander Z72 is noticed by its high bow and signature raked and rounded transom. What this 72-footer, the longest in Zeelander’s yard, offers beneath is also noteworthy: a three-stateroom setup with the master forward, each with en suite heads; standard triple 725 hp Volvo Penta IPS950s providing a top hop of 28 to 29 knots; and an amidships tender garage capable of fitting a Williams Turbojet 325 (LOA: 10 feet, 9 inches).

Take the next step: zeelander.com

Tiara Sport 38 LS

Aboard the Tiara Sport 38 LS, there’s a hardtop with a sunroof and a single-pane windshield that help protect the three bolster-style helm seats. Aft of the helm seating and separated by a sink and cutting board are twin seats that are still sheltered by the extensive hardtop. On the stern, there’s uncovered U-shape seating with a table. Belowdecks is a full head, a full-size berth and a closet.

Take the next step: tiarasport.com

Cruiser Yachts 46 Cantius

Upon stepping aboard the Cruiser Yachts 46 Cantius from the stern, passengers will immediately notice one of this 47-footer’s primary features: a hydraulic swim platform. That’s followed by a transom electric grill and fridge, making meal prep for a cockpit-based, L-shape settee that can accommodate six to eight people easy. Standard power is twin 435 hp Volvo Penta IPS600 diesels with pod drives, delivering a 31.1-knot top speed.

Take the next step: cruiseryachts.com

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Greenline Yachts is a forward-thinking company focusing on quality building techniques, comfort, safety and concern for the environment, all evident on its exciting 45 Fly.

Greenline, founded in 2008, takes an innovative approach to designing every new boat.

“One of the most important things we incorporate in all our builds is dedication to shaping the future of responsible boating,” says Luca Meffle, head of Greenline’s sales and marketing.

To Meffle’s point, the boat’s hybrid drive system provides a simple and easy method of switching between traditional diesel power to all-electric running. The ability to solar-charge daily, with extensive battery capacity providing house power to the yacht, makes Greenline an eco-friendly choice.

The 45 Fly’s “green” footprint is not the only outstanding feature found aboard.

A sleek, well-balanced and low-profile exterior is pleasing to the eye. The hydraulically operated swim platform, capable of holding up to 1,100 pounds, accompanies a large transom stowage area for water toys and other gear. A barbecue option transforms this space into a fun place for owners and guests while at a favorite anchorage. For added relaxation, don’t forget the bow sun pad.

Boarding is safe and easy via aft staircases to either side, and once aboard everyone is greeted by a well-crafted transom table and seating in the cockpit with access to the bridge deck forward and to port. Once topside, there is an expansive area, courtesy of the 45 Fly’s full beam, with plenty of seating, a portside helm, and a space for an optional barbecue console. Notable main-deck features include safe walk-around room from stern to bow and an easy-to-deploy aft window, opening up the cockpit to the starboard galley inside.

The interior is bright and airy courtesy of large windows all around, with a lower starboard helm offering a sliding door outboard for easy access to the deck and side-boarding door. There is a dinette to port with seating for six. A table atop a high-low pedestal converts to an additional berth.

The living accommodations are belowdecks and can be configured in either two- or three-stateroom layouts; the latter has walk-in closets, one with a washer/dryer, as well as en suite heads, while the former loses the closet space. Regardless, there is ample space allotted for stowage for extended voyages.

An elegant design inside and out, defining decor, fine fit-and-finish and attention to detail, the latest in construction techniques, and a unique selection of power options, including hybrid, all-electric and traditional inboard diesel engines, are all part of the Greenline 45 Fly’s profile.

The 45 Fly lets yachtsmen enjoy the boating lifestyle while also reducing impact to the environment.

greenlinehybridusa.com

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It’s easy to see that the Uniesse 56SS is a yacht designed and built by yachtsmen, for yachtsmen.

As David Schwedel, executive director of the Uniesse Marine Group, says, “This is not a cookie-cutter yacht. This is a labor of passion.” The builder checks every stitch in the leather helm seats and encourages owners to select marble not from a sample but instead at the quarry. And for the 56 Super Sport, Uniesse added smart touches inside and out, from soundproofing to creature comforts.

The 56SS is the smallest model in Uniesse’s three-model Super Sport line, which includes a 65 and a 70, and the builder customizes her just like the bigger sisterships. The 56SS that I got aboard was slate gray and black on the outside, looking like a stealth missile seemingly out of James Bond central casting. You can see all the interior broad strokes from the pictures: stylish but ever-so-comfy couches in the salon, full-beam master stateroom (more on that later), a VIP that rivals the master, and a third stateroom with twins.

But it’s the details that really make the difference when comparing this midrange cruiser with others.

Take the master’s en suite head, running fore and aft to starboard with a ­glass-and-stainless-steel divider that is functional art. Yes, the head proper is private, but the divider also allows a view out the hullside window. And the shower is lined in the owner’s choice of marble, with a rain shower recessed into the ceiling, next to a frosted skylight. There’s no ugly drain either; the marble sole is surrounded by a drain slot, an elegant solution.

Other ­interior touches aboard the 56SS include sliding salon doors that disappear, creating one-level alfresco living from the transom to the windshield, which has 6-foot-long carbon-fiber wipers. A pale-gray oak sole complements the theme of light and dark oaks throughout, with leather trim for countertops.

The galley may be down, as is Euro tradition, but it is in an atrium more than 10 feet high and open to the salon, giving the chef overhead lighting from the windshield. Appliances include an A&G fridge with a built-in wine cooler, as well as a Miele induction cooktop.

At the helm, skippers have electric Besenzoni helm seats facing Garmin’s Glass Cockpit, which showcases information on twin 22-inch displays. The information includes GPS, chart plotter and radar, as well as FLIR night vision and a proprietary Uniesse systems monitor.

The yacht’s audiovisual system has iPad controls and multiple zones ­combining 3G and 4G Wi-Fi, Apple TV, and components from Panasonic, Waterfall, JL Audio, Canton and Revel. To control the system, the staterooms and salon are fitted out with iPad minis in docking stations.

So what’ll she do? The 56SS not only looks James Bond-ish, but she walks the walk. Power on our test vessel came from twin 1,000 hp Volvo Penta IPS1350s matched to pod drives. Owners can choose anything from conventional straight drives to ­Arneson drives for the rooster-tail fans—or even water jets.

With 2,000 horses snorting in the pod drives, this 56SS blazed across Miami’s Biscayne Bay flat-out at just a fraction under 41 knots, which is missile speed given the yacht’s nearly 30 tons of leather, marble and other materials. Volvo Penta’s team says it saw a similar speed in Europe, hitting 40.6 knots with 14 people aboard.

With the hammer down, the only word I could think to jot down was “hushed” thanks to soundproofing, and thanks to a monocoque hull and house structure with a blend of ­resin-infused materials: a solid 1½ inch hull ­underwater, Airex coring in the ­topsides, and transverse and longitudinal stringers of resin-encased closed-cell rigid foam. The engine beds are 4 inches wider than the Volvo Penta-required minimums, according to Uniesse.

At speed, there were no creaks or groans, even in a steep chop or hard turns. The only distracting sound came from a water bottle in the galley sink, until Uniesse president Rafael Barca removed it. (Like I said: attention to detail.)

In addition to the standard 21-kW Kohler genset, the engine room can accommodate a Seakeeper gyrostabilizer. The fit-out here is seamanlike, with stainless-steel ­plumbing and loomed wiring.

Back at the dock, I noted that the 56SS’s fairleads spun in my hand. Uniesse wasn’t content with just a beautiful stainless-steel fairlead for dock lines. No, the builder decided on custom-made ones, with twin rollers so dock lines don’t fray. It was yet another example of how the Uniesse 56SS hits the mark on the obvious and the not-so-obvious, with a splash of innovation.

Take the next step: uniesse.com

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This content is also featured on our Princess Passport. To return or learn more, visit: The Princess Passport

A round table is less formal than a rectangular one. Round tables have equal seating, and everyone converses comfortably across the meal. Round tables might even be called relaxed. Round tables are democratic.

And if there is one feature of the Princess Yachts Y85 that defines the personality of this model, it’s the dining table in the salon. It’s round.

With the Y85, the British builder looked to create a yacht that has all the luxuries that fans of the Princess brand expect but with comforts that also make the spaces feel relaxed. The Y85 is a yacht that can be owner-operated or run with a captain, and its features imbue the rich onboard spaces with casual touches. The combination of luxe design and family-friendly amenities is a credit not only to Princess but also to naval architect Bernard Olesinski and the Italian design firm Pininfarina.

As one example, just steps from the dining table is an open galley, unless you press a button. Then, a partition rises, separating the galley. With the partition open, the space is family style with built-in stools at the counter. Closed, the space becomes formal. There’s a casual touch—only if it’s desired.

The ambience also helps to set the mood on board. There is a 9-foot-8-inch-wide window next to the table, starting just a few inches off the walnut sole and stretching up nearly 5 feet, forming what used to be called a picture window. The bulkhead outside is low, with teak-capped stainless-steel rails, so there is nothing to block ocean views. Forward, a bar has a hidden wine chiller, drawers fitted for glassware and bottle stowage.

Just abaft the table is a sprawling U-shaped couch facing a pop-up TV, creating a comfortable media room for just that: sprawling. And the casual touch continues from there through twin sliding doors to the cockpit. The doors disappear behind the outboard panel, creating an alfresco feel in the salon.

The new decor of the Princess Y85 serves as a precursor for future models’ styling. There are swoopy curves in the recessed ceiling, which has glossy walnut trim. These identical swoops are replicated in the headboard of the master stateroom. In the curves of the galley divider. In the top of the vanity in the master stateroom, and in the leather of the helm seats.

A few steps forward on the main deck is a day-head, convenient for guests as well as for the skipper in the pilothouse. The helm area is another gathering place and can be closed off for night running or salon privacy. Guests can sit at a raised dinette to port, while the skipper and companion have raised seats with armrests next to a pantograph door for side-deck access.

Our test Y85 had a Garmin electronics suite with three displays at the lower helm, including a Boening touchscreen display for ship’s systems.

The galley also has a door to the side deck to make provisioning easier. Chefs get a Wolf cooktop, induction oven and Sub-Zero fridge. There are ice makers and wine chillers in the galley and on the bridge.

The master stateroom spans the yacht’s 20-foot-8-inch beam, allowing for a centerline king berth, a desk/vanity to port, and two love seats with a table to starboard for morning coffee or an evening aperitif. This stateroom also has a walk-in closet, and a double-sink head is aft with a shower. (A note: When James Noble, Princess’ vice president of marketing, and I were exploring the master, the yacht was running at full throttle in the open sea, yet it was so quiet that noise barely registered on my sound meter. We talked in normal tones despite thundering 1,900 hp MAN V-12 diesels just a few feet away.)

The VIP stateroom forward is notable for having a walk-in closet and an en suite head, and each of the other guest staterooms—one a double, one with twins—has private head access.

I’ll admit to being surprised that, when the hammer went down, there was a lot more Princess S (sport) series than I expected from a Y (yacht). The Y85 topped out at almost 28 knots while moving about 73 tons of luxury appointments, leather and marble—a speed made even more notable because this was the initial sea trial before the full break-in. According to Princess, this yacht should hit 30 to 31 knots when the engines are settled. And this Y85 had returned from a Princess owners’ rendezvous in the Bahamas, reportedly covering more than 180 nautical miles across the Gulf Stream in nine hours.

Up top, the flybridge is fully covered by a fiberglass hardtop with a louvered sunroof, eliminating sliding parts and canvas. There’s an alfresco entertainment area with a dinette to port facing an L-shaped bar, and settees for guests surround the ­skipper. The helm electronics—monitors and all—­disappear into the dash at the flip of a switch. Aft, a spa is optional where the boat deck stretches nearly 18 feet from rail to seating. This space also could be used for a tender launched by the Opacmare crane, or left open for sun lounges.

The Princess Y85 is a comfortable take on elegance. The yacht offers luxury when guests want it and casual relaxation when it’s preferred, no matter who’s invited to sit at the table.

Take the next step: princessyachtsamerica.com

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